CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims a benefit of priority under 35 USC § 119 based on U.S. Provisional Patent application no. 61/692,982 filed August 24, 2012, the entire contents of which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference into the present application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of lavatory systems and, more particularly, to a multi-purpose hand washing station with a soap dispenser, multiple air plenums with reinforcing grids that make up a hand drying system, and a water trap with a series of air hoses that supply air to the multiple air plenums.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

Lavatory systems are generally shown and described in U.S. Patent Application Nos. 12/233,466, 13/122,368, and 13/088,793. An exemplary lavatory system is described in the U.S. Application No. 13/088,793, which is assigned to Bradley Fixtures Corporation, the assignee of this application. The '793 application, which is expressly incorporated by reference herein, describes a lavatory system in which a hand washing station has a wash basin, a faucet, and an electric hand dryer. The integration of these components into a single wash station alleviates the need for a user to leave the wash station to access a hand dryer. That is, the hand dryer is adjacent the wash basin and blows into an area generally above the wash basin. Accordingly, a user can water and soap his hands in a conventional manner and then move his hands to the drying zone of the hand dryer. The user's hands do not need to leave the wash basin for the hands to be exposed to the drying air. Hence, water does not drip onto the floor as the user presents his hands to the dryer, and water wicked from the hands is blown into the wash basin rather than onto the floor.

SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

By way of summary, the present invention is directed to a multi-purpose lavatory system. An object of the present invention is to provide an easy way to monitor and fill a soap dispenser's fluid level in a multi-purpose hand washing station. An additional object of the invention is to provide one or more air plenums for a hand dryer in a multi-purpose hand washing station that is equipped with a series of raised shapes molded into the air plenums for providing structural rigidity when the air plenums are provided with air pressure. Another object of the invention is to provide a water trap in one or more of the air hoses that supply air pressure to the air plenums to prevent water from flowing through the air hoses and into a blower that generates the air pressure.

A multi-purpose hand washing station is herein disclosed. The multi-purpose hand washing station includes a base and is attached to a support structure, and the support structure is attached to a wall. A top air plenum may be attached to a top side of the basin. A top air plenum is located within a top air plenum hood and is configured to direct air through a plurality of air outlets pointed in the direction of the basin. The top air plenum includes at least one air inlet that is supplied air by an air hose. A bottom air plenum is attached to a bottom side of the basin directly below the top air plenum. Just like the top air plenum, the bottom air plenum includes at least one air inlet that is supplied air by an additional hose and a plurality of air outlets that direct air flow upward in a direction toward the top air plenum. The plurality of air outlets on the bottom air plenum projects through the basin via an opening in the basin. A blower mounted below the basin is configured to generate and supply air pressure to the top air plenum and the bottom air plenum via air hoses.

The air plenum air hoses include a first air hose with a first and second end and a second air hose with a first and a second end. The first end of the first air hose is connected to the top air plenum's air inlet and the second end of the first hose is connected to the blower. The first end of the second air hose is connected to the air inlet of the bottom plenum and the second end of the second air hose is connected to the blower. The second air hose includes a vertical length extending from the air inlet of the bottom air plenum in an upward, generally vertical direction for a distance and then makes an about 150-180° bend inside the top air plenum hood to extend the second hose in a downward, generally vertical direction for a distance, and attaches the second end of the second air hose to the blower. The about 150-180° bend is secured to the top air plenum hood with a fastener that may include a zip tie, a screw, a bolt, or any other known fastener. This bend functions to prevent water from entering the bottom air plenum and flowing through the second air hose and into the blower by forming a U-shape or an inverted p-trap. In this configuration, the force of gravity on water in one side of the U-shaped bend prevents the ability of the water to communicate (or flow) to the other side of the U-shaped bend. The first and second air hose may be made out of any known hose material including corrugated tubing, rubber tubing, vinyl tubing, silicone tubing, plastic tubing, hard molded tubing, or any other known air supply ducting. The first and second air hoses may attach to the plenums and the blower with any known fastening means including worm gear hose clamps, t-bolt hose clamps, twist-to-connect fittings, quick release fittings, or any other known clamping means.

It should be noted that the bend in the hose does not need to be exactly 150-180°. In fact, a bend between greater than 90° and less than 360° is possible.

The top and the bottom air plenums are constructed in a two-part fashion. A top half shell is joined to a bottom half shell forming an interior space within the air plenum. Either the top half shell or the bottom half shell includes a plurality of air outlets integrated into the respective half shell. Each one of the top half shells and the bottom half shells include half an air inlet so that when the two half shells are joined together, a complete air inlet is formed. Each half shell further may include multiple ribs that form a grid-like structure on either the exterior side and/or within the interior space of the half shell. The grid-like structure is formed of a plurality of raised shapes that are molded into the half shell. The raised shapes may include a plurality of squares to form a raised checkerboard-like structure, but also may include a plurality of raised shapes including circles or polygons. The grid functions to provide structural support to each half shell and the assembled air plenums so that the air pressure that is generated by the blower does not deform the plenum's shape. The grid prevents the plenum from expanding or contracting under the supplied air pressure. Alternatively, a distribution air plenum may be used as the top air plenum or the bottom air plenum. The distribution air plenum is similar to the top and bottom air plenums except it includes more than one air inlet and allows the air supplied by the blower to be more evenly distributed to the air outlets.

Also attached to the basin is a soap dispenser to dispense liquid soap. The soap dispenser is formed by a multi-piece construction. A lid is pivotably attached to a base by a hinge. The lid is held closed and attached to the base by a clasp. A provision is made adjacent to the clasp for a single fastener to hold the lid closed for added security. A clasp key may release the clasp. Releasing the clasp allows the lid to pivot open exposing a funnel insert that is inserted into the base and includes a recessed channel around the perimeter of the funnel. The recessed channel terminates at a fill port allowing a user to conveniently pour a hand cleaner, preferably, a liquefied soap into the fill port; however, the recessed channel will capture spilled soap and funnel it to the fill port. On a bottom side of the base, a reservoir mount that is in fluid communication with the fill port allows attachment of a fluid reservoir for capturing and retaining the soap that is poured into the fill port and recessed channel. A level sensor that extends downwardly from the reservoir mount includes a float attached to a rod. The float is buoyant in the liquid soap allowing the level sensor to sense the level of liquid soap in a reservoir that is attached to the reservoir mount. An indicator light on the base conveniently notifies a user of the sensed level of liquid soap in the reservoir. A pump connected to the reservoir pumps soap from the reservoir to a soap outlet on the soap dispenser when the user activates the pump.

These and other aspects and objects of the present invention will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following description, while indicating preferred embodiments of the present invention, is given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention includes all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A clear conception of the advantages and features constituting the present invention, and of the construction and operation of typical mechanisms provided with the present invention, will become more readily apparent by referring to the exemplary, and therefore non-limiting, embodiments illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate the same elements in the several views, and in which:

Fig. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the multi-purpose hand washing station of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a side view of the multi-purpose hand washing station according to the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a top view of the multi-purpose hand washing station according to the present invention;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the basin from the multi-purpose hand washing station according to the present invention; Fig. 5 is a partial elevation view of the multi-purpose hand washing station according to the present invention showing the exposed underside of the basin;

Fig. 6 is a partial perspective view of the multi-purpose hand washing station according to the present invention, without the basin, exposing the air plenums and air hoses;

Fig. 7 is a partially exploded perspective view of the top air plenum hood showing the top air plenum, first and second air hoses, and the 180° bend;

Fig. 8 is a bottom view of the bottom half shell of the bottom air plenum;

Fig. 9 is a top view of the top half shell of the bottom air plenum;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the top half shell of the top air plenum;

Fig. 1 1 is a top view of the top half shell plenum of the distribution air plenum according to one embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 12 is a bottom view of the bottom half shell of the distribution air plenum according to one embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 13 is a side view of the distribution air plenum showing the interior space according to one embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 14 is a top view of the top half shell of the top air plenum according to one embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the bottom half shell of the top air plenum according to one embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 16 is a perspective view of the soap dispenser according to the present invention;

Fig. 17 is a top view of the base and funnel insert according to the present invention;

Fig. 18 is a bottom side perspective view of the base of the soap dispenser according to the present invention;

Fig. 19 is side view of the base and funnel insert according to the present invention;

Fig. 20 is a partially exploded perspective view of the soap dispenser, the reservoir and the soap pump according to the present invention; and

Fig. 21 is a perspective view of the soap dispenser mounted on the basin of the multipurpose hand washing station according to the present invention.

In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention which is illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, it is not intended that the invention be limited to the specific terms so selected and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. For example, the words "connected", "attached", or terms similar thereto are often used. They are not limited to direct connection but include connection through other elements where such connection is recognized as being equivalent by those skilled in the art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments described in detail in the following description.

Beginning with Fig. 1, a multi-purpose hand washing station 21 is shown. A basin 1 with a top side 16 allows a user to conveniently wash his hands by using a faucet 57. Water from the faucet 57 is funneled by the contour of the top side 16 of the basin 1 into a drain 2. The user may also dispense a hand cleaner, e.g., a liquid soap, from a dispenser 25. After hand washing is completed, a hand dryer 8 allows the user to dry his hands. The hand dryer 8 includes a top air plenum hood 9 and a series of air plenums seen in the following Figs.

Fig. 2 shows a side view of the multi-purpose hand washing station 21. The basin 1 is shown supporting each one of the soap dispenser 25, the faucet 57, and the hand dryer 8. The air outlets 65 of the hand dryer 8 that supply pressurized streams of air for hand drying are also visible in this view.

Turning to Fig. 3, a top view of the multi-purpose hand washing station 21 is shown. The air outlets 65, of the not-pictured bottom air plenum 7, are shown projecting from the top side 16 of the basin 1. The soap dispenser 25, faucet 57, top air plenum hood 9, and a drain 2 are all shown attached to the basin 1.

Fig. 4 shows the top side 16 of the basin 1 without anything attached. The soap dispenser mount 26 allows for attachments of the soap dispenser 25, the faucet mount 58 allows for attachment of the faucet 57 and the top air plenum hood mount 10 allows for attachment of the top air plenum hood 9. The drain 2 is also integrated into the base 1. The contour of the basin 1 allows for not only water from the faucet 57 to flow to the drain 2 but also water from a user's hands while the hand dryer 8 is in use will also flow to the drain 2.

Transitioning now to Fig. 5, the bottom side 4 of the basin 1 is shown along with all the various attachments. The bottom air plenum 7 is shown attaching to the underside of the basin 1. A first end 76 of the second air hose 73 attaches to the air inlet 67 of the bottom air plenum 7 with a hose clamp 23. A series of ribs that forms grids 69 is shown molded into the bottom air plenum 7. The grids 69 provide structural support to either air plenum 5 or 7 in order to prevent deformation when air pressure is supplied to the top and bottom air plenums 5, 7 by a blower 1 1. The blower 1 1 attaches to the multi-purpose hand washing station 21 with a support structure 3. The support structure 3 holds all the various components of the multi-purpose hand washing station 21 together. A reservoir 43 contains a liquid soap. A soap pump 51 pumps the liquid soap stored in the reservoir 43 to the soap dispenser 25. The drain 2 on the underside of the basin 1 may be connected to any suitable plumbing system such as a sewer, a septic system, a holding tank, or any other similar device. The second end 74 of the first air hose 71 connects to the blower 11 with the hose clamp 23 and is routed behind the basin 1 into the top air plenum hood 94. The first air hose 71 attaches to the top air plenum 5, inside the top air plenum hood 9, seen for example in Fig. 7.

Fig. 6 shows a partially exploded view of the multi-purpose hand washing station 21. The support structure 3 is shown and may be attached to a rigid device such as a wall. The top air plenum hood 9 is shown partially exploded thereby exposing the interior top air plenum 5 and the second air hose 73. The top air plenum hood 9 includes a top air plenum hood top half 12 and a top air plenum hood bottom half 14 which are held together with any known fastening means, such as screws 18. The second air hose 73 is connected at the second end 76 to the bottom air plenum 7 with the hose clamp 23 and travels in an upward vertical direction 17 and into the top air plenum hood 9. At this point, the second air hose 73 transitions into a generally U-shaped bend 15, and then continues in a downward vertical direction 19 until the second end 78 attaches to the blower 1 1 and is connected to the blower 1 1 with the hose clamp 23. The 180° bend is attached to the top air plenum hood 9 with a fastener 13. The fastener 13 may include any known fastening means including a bolt, a screw, a zip tie, a cable tie, or any other known fastening device. The fastener 13 holds the generally U-shaped bend 15 above the air outlets 65 in the bottom air plenum 7, in the vertical direction, in order to prevent water which enters the bottom air plenum's air outlets 65 from reaching the blower 1 1. The basin 1 is designed to prevent water from entering the bottom air plenum 7; however, with vigorous use or through negligence it is possible for a user to force water into the air outlets 65 of the bottom air plenum 7. In the present configuration, should water enter the bottom air plenum 7, it may only fill the second air hose up to a distance even with the air outlets 65 of the bottom air plenum 7. The force of gravity prevents water from flowing into the generally U-shaped bend and into the blower 11, while the fastener 13 prevents the weight of the water in the upward vertical direction 17 of the second air hose 73 from pulling the second air hose 73 down and allowing the water to enter the blower 1 1. The second end 74 of the first air hose 71 also attaches to the blower 11 with a hose clamp 23 and the first end 68, better seen in Fig. 7, is also connected to the top air plenum 5 with a hose clamp 23. Because the top air plenum 5 is located vertically above the basin 1, as seen in Figs. 1 and 2, water may not enter the top air plenum 5.

Turning now to Fig. 7 a partially exploded view of the top air plenum hood 9 is shown. The top air plenum hood top half 12 is separated from the top air plenum hood bottom half 14. The top air plenum 5 is attached to the top air plenum hood bottom half 14 with multiple screws 18 seen for example in Fig. 6. The first end 68 of the air hose 71 is shown attaching to the air inlet 67 of the top air plenum 5 with a hose clamp 23. The generally U-shaped bend 15 of the second air hose 73 is shown attaching to the top air plenum hood bottom half 14 and to the top air plenum 5 with a fastener 13.

Fig. 8 discloses the bottom half shell 61 of the bottom air plenum 7. Both the top air plenum 5 and the bottom air plenum 7 are formed with a top half shell 59 joining a bottom half shell 61. While the pictured bottom air plenum 7 shows grids 69 along the edges of the bottom half shell 61, the grids 69 may be included along the entirety of the exterior side 77 and also along the entirety of the interior side 75, as seen, for example, in Fig. 10. The grids 69 include a series of raised rectangular shapes that are molded into the exterior side 77 of the respective half shell; however, the grids may be circular in shape, square in shape, or shaped in any variety of shapes. The air inlet 67 allows for attachment of the second air hose 73 as seen, for example, in Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 shows the exterior side 77 of the top half shell 59 of the bottom air plenum 7. The air outlets 65 that project through the basin 1, as shown in Fig. 2 and described above, are visible. The grids 69 are shown along the edges of the top half shell 59; however, the grids 69 may cover the entirety of the top half shell. The grids 69 include a plurality of raised shapes 70. The air inlet 67 allows for attachment of second air hose 73, as seen in Fig. 6.

Fig. 10 shows the interior side 75 of the top half shell 59 of the top air plenum 5. The grid 69 is shown to encompass nearly the entirety of the interior side 75. A plurality of raised shapes 70 such as circles or polygons 72 are shown that make up the grid 69. The interior side of both the top half shell 59 and the bottom half shell 61 of both the top air plenum 5 and the bottom air plenum 7 may also include a similar grid 69 that covers an entirety of the respective plenum's surface.

Fig. 11 discloses an alternative embodiment including a distribution air plenum 6. The exterior side 77 of the top half shell 59 of the distribution air plenum 6 is shown without a grid 69; however, it may include a grid 69 on either of the interior side 75, the exterior side 77, or both the interior and exterior sides 75, 77. Likewise, the grid 69 may be included on the interior side 75, the exterior side 77, or both the interior and exterior sides of the top air plenum 5 and the bottom air plenum 7.

The exterior side 77 of the bottom half shell 61 of the distribution air plenum 6 is shown in Fig. 12. The grid 69 is shown alongside the air outlets 65. Dual air inlets 67 allow for an alternate means of preventing water which enters the bottom air plenum 7 from communicating to the blower 1 1. In lieu of dual air inlets 67, the same "inverted p-trap" concept can be accomplished using a T-type junction offering a plurality of air inlets and outlets, and which fluidly communicates with the blower 1 1 , top air plenum 5 and bottom air plenum 7. Such a configuration may also optimize air distribution throughout the distribution air plenum 6 and to the air outlets 65. The distribution air plenum 6 may be used as either a top air plenum 5 or a bottom air plenum 7 depending on the desired airflow required.

Fig. 13 shows a side view of the distribution air plenum 6. The top half shell 59 is joined to the bottom half shell 61 and completes the air inlets 67. Also, an interior space 63 is formed within the distribution air plenum 6. A grid 69 may be seen formed into the interior side 75 of both the top half shell 59 and the bottom half shell 61. While the interior space 63 is only shown for the distribution air plenum 6, both the top air plenum 5 and the bottom air plenum 7 may include a similar interior space 63 with similar grids 69. The air outlets 65 are also seen on the exterior side 77 of the bottom half shell 61.

Fig. 14 shows the exterior side 77 of the top half shell 59 of the top air plenum 5. Again, while a grid 69 is not shown on the exterior side 77, it may be included. The air inlet 67 allows for attachment of the first air hose 71, as shown in Fig. 7. Fig. 15 shows the exterior side 77 of the bottom half shell 61 of the top air plenum 5. Grids 69 are shown along the edges of the bottom half shell 61. The air inlet 67 allows for attachment of the first air hose 71 to supply air to the air outlets 65, as seen in Fig. 7.

Turning now to Fig. 16, the soap dispenser 25 is shown with a lid 27 in the open position. A clasp 31 located second end 36 on the base 33 and secures the lid 27 to the base 33. A hinge is also located on the first end 34 of the base as well as on the first end 28 of the lid. When the lid is pivoted about the hinge 29, the second end 30 of the lid 27 may be joined with the base 33 and secured by the clasp 31. A provision is made adjacent to the clasp for a fastener (not shown) to hold the lid closed for added security and tampering prevention, e.g., a hole 55. A funnel insert 37 is inserted into the base 33 and includes a channel 39 around the perimeter of the funnel insert 37 and a fill port 35. The channel 39 and the fill port 35 funnel fluid such as liquid soap that may be poured into the soap dispenser 25. The liquid soap flows through the channel 39 and through the fill port 35 into a reservoir 43, as shown in Fig. 20. A level sensor 45 senses a level of liquid soap in the reservoir 43. The level sensor 45 includes a float 47 attached to a rod 49. The float 47 may slide along the rod 49 indicating the level of soap in the reservoir 43, or, the float 47 may be attached to the distal end of the rod 49 allowing the rod 49 to pivot about the base 33 similar to a float in a traditional toilet water tank. The level sensor 45 may interact with electronics to light up an indicator light on the base 33 and also on the lid 27 indicating the sensed level of soap in the reservoir 43.

Fig. 17 shows a top view of the base 33. The channel 39 is seen along the perimeter of the funnel insert 37 leading poured fluid to the fill port 35. The hinge 29 and clasp 31 allow attachment of the lid 27, as described above.

Fig. 18 shows the bottom side of the base 33. The fill port 35 is shown as well as a surrounding reservoir mount 41 that allows attachment of the reservoir 43 shown in Fig. 20. The soap outlet 53 dispenses soap from the base 33 when the soap pump 51 , also seen in Fig. 20, is activated. The clasp 31 secures the lid 27 as seen in Fig. 16.

A side view of the base 33 of the soap dispenser 25 is shown in Fig. 19. The reservoir mount 41 surrounds the fill port 35. The funnel insert 37 and the clasp 31 may be seen projecting above the edge of the base 33 while the soap outlet 53 may be seen on the bottom portion of the base 33. Transitioning to Fig. 20, the soap dispenser 25 is shown in complete form including the lid 27 attached to the base 33, the level sensor 45 with the rod 49, the float 47, and the soap outlet 53. The reservoir 43 contains the liquid soap that is poured through the fill port 35. The reservoir 43 is attached to the underside of the basin 1, as partially seen in Fig. 5. The soap pump 51 is user activated to pump the stored liquid soap to the soap outlet 53.

Fig. 21 shows the base 33 of the soap dispenser 25 mounted to the top side 16 of the basin 1. The faucet 57 may also be seen attached to the basin 1 alongside the soap dispenser 25. The lid 27 is pivoted about the hinge 29 and in the open position exposing the fill port 35, the channel 39, the indicator light and the funnel insert 37. In order to release the clasp 31 and allow the lid 27 to rotate open from the base 33, a clasp key 32 may be used. The clasp key 32 may be provided to a maintenance person in order to prevent an unauthorized user from tampering with the soap dispense 25.

Although a best mode contemplated by the inventors of carrying out the present invention is disclosed above, practice of the present invention is not limited thereto. It will be manifest that various additions, modifications, and rearrangements of the features of the present invention may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept. For example, one preferred embodiment provides for the use of liquefied soap. However, as can be appreciated, any hand cleaner may be used, e.g., a foam soap, hand sanitizer, gel, or other type of cleaner may be provided.

Further, in one embodiment, a level sensor that extends downwardly from the reservoir mount includes a float directly attached to a rod, e.g., the float is attached to the distal end of the rod allowing the rod to pivot about the base. There the float is buoyed in the liquid soap allowing the level sensor to sense the level of liquid soap in a reservoir that is attached to the reservoir mount. In another embodiment, the level sensor includes a float slidingly engaged to a rod and submergable in the fluid within the reservoir to sense a level of fluid within the reservoir.

In one embodiment, the plenums may be mounted side -to-side plenums, for example, for a horizontal air flow. Here, the user may put one hand on top of the other to have the water wicked from the hands. A third plenum may be added to this configuration to make the flow of air on the user's hand more uniform. It should also be noted that the blower motor may have brushes or may be brushless. Further, in one embodiment, the blower housing for the brushless motor only has one air outlet and not a plurality of outlets as otherwise disclosed herein.

In addition, the individual components called out herein need not be fabricated from the disclosed materials, but could be fabricated from virtually any suitable materials. Moreover, the individual components need not be formed in the disclosed shapes, or assembled in the disclosed configuration, but could be provided in virtually any shape, and assembled in virtually any configuration. Further, although the components described herein are often described as physically separate modules, it will be manifest that they may be integrated into the apparatus with which it is associated. Finally, all the disclosed features of each disclosed embodiment can be combined with, or substituted for, the disclosed features of every other disclosed embodiment except where such features are mutually exclusive.

As can be seen, it is specifically intended that the present invention not be limited to the embodiments and illustrations contained herein, but includes modified forms of those embodiments including portions of the embodiments and combinations of elements of different embodiments as come within the scope of the following claims.